Katyra Waller is a senior at Michigan State University majoring in Advertising Management with a minor in Business. During her time at MSU, she has been involved in the Multicultural Business Program's Student Business Institute, the Residential Business Community, served as Social Media Director for the MSU Entrepreneurship Association and currently leads new business at 42point7, a student-run marketing agency.
“I was first introduced to the Burgess Institute before I was even a student at Michigan State. During a high school visit for the DECA State Leadership Summit, I toured the Hatch and learned about everything the Institute had to offer. I remember thinking that it was exactly the kind of community I wanted to be a part of if I came to MSU.
When I arrived on campus that fall, I connected with Lori Fisher, who introduced me to the many opportunities available through the Burgess Institute. That conversation opened the door to a new part of my college experience, and entrepreneurship quickly became something I wanted to explore further.
That journey eventually led me to the Spartans for Startups internship program, where I connected with MIA (Missing In Action), a startup founded by MSU alumna Jordan Polk (B.S. '21). Although Jordan first came to MSU for Innovate State and I wasn't able to attend because of another commitment, I didn't let that stop me from pursuing the opportunity to work with her company. Through Spartans for Startups, I joined MIA, a company developing haircare products designed to protect hair and scalp from outdoor elements like UV rays, chlorine, dry air and saltwater.
My internship with MIA has been one of the most rewarding parts of my college experience, allowing me to contribute to a mission I believe in while learning what it takes to build a startup from the ground up.
As a member of MIA's Brand Communications team, I contributed to creator partnerships, social media strategy, campaign development, copywriting and community engagement. I also helped launch MIA's TikTok Shop by creating organic content that drove product sales. Beyond marketing, I had the opportunity to sit in on manufacturing, supply chain and market expansion discussions, giving me a firsthand look at how every part of a startup works together to grow a business.
The biggest lesson I've learned is that success is built through consistency, persistence and trusting the process. Watching MIA grow has shown me how small efforts compound over time. Helping plan experiential marketing campaigns reinforced that lesson, as I saw the strategy and preparation behind each event before watching customers engage with the brand in person. It reminded me that meaningful results come from the work you put in long before anyone else sees it.
One of the most valuable lessons I've taken from my internship was Jordan’s advice: put your ideas into the world instead of waiting for them to be perfect. I've always been someone who wanted everything to be just right before taking the next step, but this experience taught me that growth comes from taking action, learning through failure and improving along the way.
That mindset has changed how I approach both school and my career. I'm more willing to take risks, trust my instincts and embrace opportunities that challenge me. Looking back, it's the same mindset that led me pursue the opportunity with MIA in the first place.
Looking ahead, I know this experience will continue to shape both my professional and entrepreneurial goals. Entrepreneurship has taught me that not everyone will immediately understand your vision, and that's okay. What matters is believing in your ideas enough to keep working toward them, even when you hear ‘no.’
My advice to other students is to take advantage of your network, the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and the resources available to you. If there's a company you admire or want to work with, don't be afraid to reach out. Send the LinkedIn message, ask for the introduction and start the conversation. You never know where one conversation might lead.”